Verdict

This looks very competitive but Cobra De Mai may have run out of chances while Sunset West might need more time. Cilaos Glace has gone up 6lb having come good at Fontwell but Buster Valentine races off the same mark as when a good second at Wetherby. FLEGMATIK isn’t entirely straightforward but was third at Kempton last month following wind surgery. He’s now 3lb lower than when scoring at Carlisle early last season so has every chance of picking up the winning thread again. Tide Times was beaten almost five lengths by Hunny Moon here in November but would have finished much closer that day had he not blundered at the last and is 3lb better off. Ashfield Paddy will need to jump better if he’s to score in this company.

Formwatch

Buster Valentine (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed narrowly 8th, close up when ridden 4 out, every chance last, stayed on flat but could not match winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Schiehallion Munro (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Flegmatik (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went third 4 out, pushed along to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Five Star Getaway (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Cobra De Mai (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, kept on at 2 out, weakened after final fence, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Sidi Ismael (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Ashfield Paddy (IRE) 3-1cfav (12-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along before 3 out, plugging on when brought down 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Hunny Moon 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader who went clear before 4th, closer before 11th, led after 4 out, in command after the last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Tide Times (11-0) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.

Sunset West (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Led and soon 15 lengths clear, reduced lead 11th, blundered 5 out, headed next, kept on same pace and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Buzz De Turcoing (11-1) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Cilaos Glace (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders early, disputed lead before 5th, led after 6th, extended lead over 4 out, clear when jumped right last, ridden out and in full control flat, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Galtee Mountain (10-8) by 7 1/2l, 8 ran.

Tide Times (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Held up, headway to chase leaders 6 out, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Le Milos (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.

Southern Sam 3-1cfav (12-0) Slight lead until 6th, chased leader, went badly right 11th, pushed along and badly outpaced before 4 out, rallied on inside before next, went 3rd run-in, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Downtown Getaway (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.